Worldwide Wes restricted from entering Lucas Oil Stadium for Midwest Regional contests
INDIANAPOLIS – Worldwide Wes was a wanted man in Lucas Oil Stadium Friday night.
Or, more accurately, an unwanted man.
Stadium security on the ground floor, backstage area of the stadium had a black-and-white picture of William "Worldwide Wes" Wesley. Security guards were under instruction not to let the power broker with ties to Nike enter the area, though they refused to say why.
Wesley spoke briefly to Yahoo! Sports after word of the "ban" broke on Twitter. He did not want to be quoted, but confirmed that he was in the arena for the Louisville-Oregon game.
Wesley has had ties for years to the Oregon program. He also has strong ties to John Calipari and Kentucky.
Multiple NCAA officials in the stadium said they did not know anything about the Wesley situation. John Dedman, media coordinator for the event here in Indianapolis, said Wesley could enter the building with a ticket "just like anybody else." He said access to credentialed areas was limited only to those with proper credentials – which appears to be the sticking point with Wesley.
[Slideshow: Best photos from the NCAA tournament]
He has a long-established penchant for showing up just about anywhere at major basketball events – hence his "Worldwide Wes" nickname. In 2008, Wesley had a credential around his neck at the Final Four as a member of the Memphis contingent when the Tigers were coached by Calipari.
Memorable Moments from Yahoo! Sports
More NCAA tournament coverage from Yahoo! Sports
• Man's wake planned around Kansas' Sweet 16 game
• Syracuse Zone beats, batters Indiana into submission
• Shockers ride Carl Hall to Elite Eight
• LaQuinton Ross plays March hero for Ohio State
